What Ring Rust? Tszyu Stops Mitchell
11/7 - In his first start in 22 months, Kostya 'The Thunder Down Under' Tszyu showed why he not only is recognized as the world's best 140-pounder but also is regarded as one of the best boxers pound for pound in the sport when he successfully defended his IBF junior welterweight title with an impressive, shockingly easy third-round knockout over IBF Interim Champion Sharmba Mitchell Saturday on SHOWTIME.
The scintillating victory in the highly anticipated rematch was the second straight for Tszyu over Mitchell. In their initial encounter, the Australian-based Russian scored a seventh-round TKO over Mitchell on Feb. 3, 2001, on SHOWTIME.
Saturday's SHOWTIME telecast, which aired at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on West Coast) from the Glendale Arena in Phoenix, Ariz., was promoted by Millenium Events Inc., in association with Gary Shaw Productions, LLC. Due to a contractual dispute, the scheduled co-feature on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING between WBO junior featherweight champion Juan Guzman and Marcos Licona did not take place.
Tszyu (31-1, 25 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, by way of Serov, Russia, was simply devastating as he turned what was supposed to be dangerous assignment into a cakewalk. In a prolific performance in which his powerful right hand did all of the significant damage, Tszyu floored Mitchell four times en route to winning his 13th consecutive fight. The referee stopped the one-sided bout after the final knockout at 2:48 of the third. Tszyu scored knockdowns in each of the first and second rounds and two more in the second. Tszyu, who last fought on Jan. 19, 2003, showed no effects from the injures to his Achilles' tendon and left shoulder that required surgery and twice forced the eagerly awaited rematch with Mitchell to be postponed.
Tszyu stamped himself as the world's premier 140-pound boxer and added the IBF belt to his already-glitzy wardrobe with a scintillating second-round TKO over previously undefeated Zab Judah Nov. 3, 2001, on SHOWTIME. Tszyu captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) belt when he defeated Mitchell the first time. Nearly one-and-one-half years earlier, Tszyu earned the World Boxing Council (WBC) 140-pound title by knocking out Miguel Angel Gonzalez in the 10th round on Aug. 21, 1999. Tszyu, who was making his 16th world title appearance (plus one no decision), turned pro on March 1, 1992. He went 259-11 in the amateurs.
Mitchell (55-4, 31 KOs), of Takoma Park, Md., had been victorious in his eight starts since a knee injury forced him to retire on his stool against Tszyu. The talented southpaw did well the first 2½ minutes as he utilized his boxing skills and speed. Mitchell showed a lot of heart by getting up after each knockdown, but he never could recover after going down the first time. The former WBA titlist captured the Interim IBF 140-pound crown with a hard-fought, 12-round unanimous decision over Lovemore N'dou on Feb. 7, 2004, on SHOWTIME.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING's Steve Albert and Al Bernstein called Saturday's action from ringside with Jim Gray serving as roving reporter. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast was Jay Larkin, with David Dinkins, Jr. producing and Bob Dunphy directing.
SHOWTIME will close out an excellent year of boxing on the first Saturday of every month with a tripleheader on Dec. 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on West Coast). In one of two world title fights at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, two-time WBC Lightweight Champion Jose Luis Castillo (50-6-1, 45 KOs) will defend against former WBA 130-pound titleholder Joel Casamayor (31-2, 19 KOs). In the other, IBF Super Middleweight Champion Jeff Lacy (17-0, 14 KOs) will make his initial title defense against Omar Sheika (26-6, 17 KOs).
Opening the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader will be Jeremy Williams (41-4-1, 36 KOs) taking on promising, unbeaten Samuel Peter (20-0, 17 KOs) in a 12-round bout for the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) heavyweight crown. Top Rank, Inc. in association with Gary Shaw Productions, LLC and Cedric Kushner Promotions, LTD with Team Freedom and Duva Boxing will present the event.
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